Bricks hurled during the clash in Patna City on Friday. Picture by Sachin

Oct. 7: The festive mood in the city as well as in some other pockets of the state was marred today by clashes between revellers and citizens.

While members of an immersion procession clashed with residents at Belwarganj under Alamganj police station, members of two Puja committees came to blows over who would immerse idol first in the Macharhatta area under Khajekala police station.

Sources said the residents of Belwarganj intercepted a large immersion procession on their way to Bhadra Ghat, around 10am. The residents claimed that the inebriated members of the Puja committee were harassing them.

The altercation between the two parties snowballed into a clash. Patna senior superintendent of police Alok Kumar and district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh rushed to the spot to control the situation. While two people were injured, two were arrested.

A police officer told The Telegraph: “A large group of members of a Durga Puja committee were on their way to Bhadra Ghat in Patna City to immerse their idol. Preliminary investigation has revealed that most of them were under the influence of liquor. When they reached Belwarganj, the residents of the area stopped them and asked them to behave. This led to an altercation, which snowballed into a clash.”

Another officer said: “People pelted stones and assaulted each other with sticks. Passing vehicles and shops in the area were also vandalised.”

A source said: “Clashes are common during immersion every year. It is strange that the district administration allows the liquor shops to remain open at this time. The shops should be closed down till the idols are immersed.”

Violence erupted at the Macharhatta area under Khajekala police station in the evening. The police refused to comment on the incident but sources said two groups clashed after an altercation about which group would reach the ghat first.

Sources said some bullets were fired. A policeman said: “The incident occurred around 5pm. The situation is under control now”

Over 25 hurt

Violence over immersion was reported from Sitamarhi and Munger.

Cops lobbed tear gas shells in Munger this evening to disperse a violent mob following skirmishes between two groups of people during idol immersion. At least 24 people, including four policemen, suffered injuries.

Tension gripped Sitamarhi town following violent clashes between two groups of people during immersion of Goddess Durga idols on Thursday evening. A youth was shot at this morning at Khajauli in Madhubani district following dispute over collection of chanda (donation). Sumit Kumar (22) has been admitted to the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital.